The Hidden Dangers Lurking in Your Electrical Panel

Electrical panels are often considered the heart of your home’s electrical system. They control the flow of electricity to every part of your house, ensuring everything from your lights to your appliances operates smoothly. However, if your electrical panel is outdated, it could be a significant hazard. Harrison warns us that many homes in Las Vegas still have panels that are no longer UL-listed, meaning they don’t meet today’s safety standards and could pose a fire risk.

Federal Pacific and Zinsco Panels: A Fire Waiting to Happen

Harrison highlights two of the most notorious brands of outdated panels: Federal Pacific and Zinsco. These panels were widely installed in homes built between the 1950s and the 1980s. While they might still be functioning, they are known to fail at a critical time—when an electrical overload occurs. Unlike modern panels, which trip the circuit to prevent fires, these older panels might not trip at all, allowing dangerous levels of electricity to continue flowing.

“If your home was built during this era, there’s a good chance you could have one of these hazardous panels,” Harrison explains. “They’re labeled, so it’s worth checking your panel to see if you have one of these brands.”

Other Panels to Watch Out For

In addition to Federal Pacific and Zinsco, Harrison also warns about older Challenger panels, fuse panels, and certain types of split-busing panels. These systems were not designed to handle the electrical load of modern homes and can pose significant safety risks.

What Should You Do if You Have an Outdated Panel?

If you suspect your home might have an outdated or hazardous electrical panel, the first step is to call a professional like those at Electric Code. “Our technicians will come out and do a full electrical assessment,” Harrison says. “We don’t just look at the panel; we assess the breakers inside the panel, the grounding systems, and the home’s safety systems like smoke detectors, GFCIs, and AFCIs.”

Why Is All of This Important?

An electrical system that isn’t functioning correctly can work wrong for a long time before something catastrophic happens. Proper grounding, for example, ensures that excess electricity flows safely into the earth rather than through you—a vital safety feature. “It’s about more than just having your lights work,” Harrison stresses. “It’s about ensuring that when something does go wrong, your home’s electrical system protects you and your family.”

The Benefits of Upgrading Your Electrical Panel

Modern electrical panels are built to handle the high electrical demands of today’s homes. From electric vehicles (EVs) to modern appliances like electric ovens and water heaters, today’s homes use far more electricity than homes built just a few decades ago.

“If your home was built in the 1950s, like Courtney’s, it likely has a 100-amp or 125-amp panel,” Harrison explains. “But today, a 200-amp panel is the minimum standard we recommend. Upgrading your panel not only makes your home safer, but it also prepares it for future electrical demands.”

Increased Safety and Efficiency

Upgrading your electrical panel means your home will be better equipped to handle the demands of modern life. Whether charging an EV, running multiple high-powered appliances, or adding new technology to your home, a modern panel ensures your electrical system can handle the load without risking a fire or other safety hazards.

Maintaining Your Electrical System

Safety doesn’t stop when installing a new panel. Regular maintenance is critical to ensuring your system operates safely and efficiently. Electric Code offers a membership program where a technician visits your home every six months to check your panel, surge protectors, smoke detectors, and other critical systems.

Surge Protection: An Essential Safety Feature

Another critical component of a modern electrical system is surge protection. Harrison explains that while major power outages make the news, many homeowners experience smaller “micro-surges” daily. These occur every time a high-demand appliance like an air conditioner or EV charger kicks on, causing a brief drop in power.

“These micro-surges can strain your system and cause your lights to dim,” Harrison says. “Over time, they can damage your appliances and other electronics. That’s why we recommend whole-home surge protection, which we install directly into your electrical panel.”

Electricode’s surge protectors come with a $100,000 downstream coverage, meaning you’re covered if a surge damages any of your appliances or equipment. This does not include direct lightning strikes, but it does cover surges caused by events like upstream transformer failures.

Call at 702-260-4001 to schedule an assessment.